However, the balancing act is not likely to continue much longer, and the United States will be forced to choose one over the other, Brookings Institution scholar Omer Taspinar wrote for the Asia Times on Thursday.
Turkey was alarmed by the YPG’s consolidation of territory in northern Syria during the campaign against the Islamic State, and has launched military operations into areas governed by the YPG and its affiliates without a U.S. presence.
After threats to extend the operations to Manbij, a northern Syrian town where U.S. special forces are deployed, the United States agreed on a “roadmap” that includes joint U.S.-Turkish patrols of the area.
Despite this, and the addition of three PKK leaders to the U.S. most wanted list this month, Turkey has continued to bombard YPG-held territories east of the River Euphrates.
“The White House, as usual, is in crisis-management mode, and last week’s decision to placate Turkey with a US$12 million bounty for PKK leaders Murat Karayilan, Cemil Bayik and Duran Kalkan should be read in this context. But decision time is fast approaching,” Taşpınar wrote.
“Soon, the US will have to choose between Turkey and the YPG. A reasoned decision based on larger geo-strategic stakes would favor Turkey,” he said. “But American commanders on the ground and military strategists in Washington need the Kurds in the fight against IS.”
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